Happy birthday William Shakespeare!

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Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM

PORTSMOUTH — To celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday, on April 23rd Seven Stages Shakespeare Company has lined-up a full day of festivities all Bard related. Come for one event, or join for the whole day! There’s something in Shakespeare’s Day for everyone, and all events are FREE.

Shakespeare’s Day schedule of events:10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Sonnet-a-Thon at Portsmouth Book & Bar, 40 Pleasant St.

We’ll read aloud all 154 of the Bard’s sonnets, and invite you to join us! Want to read a sonnet?- sign up via email (HYPERLINK “mailto:7stagesshakespeare@gmail.com” 7stagesshakespeare@gmail.com), or stop by any time during the Sonnet-a-Thon and you can hop in to read. Each sonnet-reader will be given 90 seconds (we’ve got 154 to get through, so we’ll keep it fun and tight!)

4pm-6pm: Busking with the Bard in Market Square

Do you play or sing?- write a song using lyrics from any of Shakespeare’s scripted songs and join us in Market Square for some busking. Not a musician?- come enjoy the tunes! (This event is weather dependent. Email HYPERLINK “mailto:7stagesshakespeare@gmail.com” 7stagesshakespeare@gmail.com to sign up to play.)

We’ll listen to a reading of Shakespeare’s lesser-known poetry, and have an open dialogue on the subject guided by a panel of experts including Dr. David Richman of UNH, Portsmouth Poet Laureate John-Michael Albert, and Hope Jordan, the first official poetry slam master in New Hampshire.

8:30 p.m.-10 pm: Bard Beat Night at The Press Room, 77 Daniel St.

In Press Room Beat Night tradition, we’ll wrap up the Shakespeare’s Day festivities with an evening of poetry and spoken word, accompanied by live music, inspired by William Shakespeare. The first 30 minutes will be a presentation of invited performers’ works, and the remaining time will be an open mic for all. Share your creativity with us! And oh yeah- there will of course be birthday cake for all!

For more information about Seven Stages Shakespeare Company, email 7stagesshakespeare@gmail.com